Cotton gatherer



Jan. 20, 1931. I w R, BQON 1,789,803

coTToN GATHERER Filed June 20, 1928 if n @l ATTOR NEY A:sa

Patented Jan. 20, 1931 UNITED STATT-:s

WALL-IE R. BOONE, YOF LUBBOOK, TEXAS COTTON GATHERER Application filed June 20', 1928. Serial No. 286,897.

This invention relates generally to cotton gatherers, and more specifically to the cotton stripping member designed to facilitate stripping of the cotton from the plants or stalks, and to prevent choking at a point on the member where the stalks or plants pass from the latter. Y

Stripping members of the character above mentioned are usually provided with a plurality of spaced fingers supported by a'suitable cross plate or bracket, which supports the stripping member on the machine. The plants and stalks are adapted to pass between the fingers during theistripping operation, but when the stalks strike the cross plate or bracket, the plants ai'e sometimes injured, while invariably the 'stripping member becomes choked with the separated cotton, niaterially reducing the efficiency of the machine.

`It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide the stripping member with a plurality of auxiliary fingers suitably Y spaced apart and arranged beneath the stripping fingers, the auxiliary fingers supporting the stripping member in spaced relation to the bracket in a manner so that the plants or stalks can pass freely between the stripping fingers and eliminate any clogging of the member with the separated cotton.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following detail description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of part-s as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this application like numerals of reference indicate similar' parts in the several views and wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a machine showing the manner of supporting the stripping member thereon.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the stripping member.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary detail view thereof.

Referring to the drawing in detail 10 indicates the frame of the machine from which 50 is suspended the stripping member herein- `stripping .member on the machine.

above referred to. i This member includes a pluralitybf spaced stripping fingers l1 and opposed side walls 12, the latter being supported bybracket arms .13 rising from the the two outermost fingers 11 as illustra-ted. The entire device is pivotally supported upon a suitable axle 13 so that it may be raised `or lowered with relation to the size of` the plants, the device being .adjusted in this manner by means of a lever 111 located within convenient reach 'of the operator. is connected with an operating rod 15 which in turn is connected with bell cranks 16, the latter being pivoted on a -suitable bracket 17 as illustrated iny Figure 1. As the machine moves over the ground or surface, the

The lever plants or stalks pass between the fingers l1,

and due to the inclination ofthese fingers with relation to the ground it is manifest that the cotton is stripped from the plants during the progress ofthe machine.

In accordance with the present invention the fingers l1 are provided. lwith auxiliary fingers 18, the latter projecting downwardly for a portion of their length and thence rear- 'L wardly as clearly illustrated in Figure 1, the

fingers 1 8 being secured in any suitable manner to the cross member of a substantially U-shaped bracket 19 utilized to support'the rlhe parallel portions 20 of the, bracket have riveted orotherwise secured theretospaced bars 21 connected by a plate 22 h aving openings to receive the axle 13 upon which the entire stripping device is pivotally mounted for the purpose above stated. By reason of this construction and arrangement the stripping fingers 11 are wholly separated and spaced from the bracket 19, so that the latter does not in any way interfere with the movement of the fingers over theplants or stalks. In other words while the plants or stalks are slightly deflected by the bracket 19 when con-V tacted thereby, it is manifest that all of the cotton is stripped from the plants without any interference on the part ofthe bracket,

and allowed to pass freely over the lingers to i be discharged from the upper end of the device. As hereinabove stated the arrangement avoids choking up of the device at a point near its upper end when the bracket 19 is supported directly by the stripping lingers ll. Consequently the design and arrangement of the lingers 18 materially increases the eliciency of the machine tor the purpose intended.

Vhile it is believed that from the 0regoing description the nature and advantages.

of the invention Will be readily understood, I desire to have it known that I do not limit myself to What is herein shown and described and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as tall Within the scope of what is claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. In a cotton gatherer, a stripping device including a supporting bracket, a plurality of spaced parallel lingers, and means' for supporting the lingers on said bracket and spaced above the bracket.

2. In a cotton gatherer, a stripping device including a plurality of spaced parallel lingers, a transverse bracket supported by the machine, and means carried by said fingers for supporting the latter upon the bracket and spacing the fingers from the bracket.

3. In a cotton gathereig a strippingdevice including a plurality of' spaced parallel lingers, a transversely disposed supporting bracket supported by the machine, auxiliary lingers depending from the firstmentioned lingers, and arranged to support the latter on the bracket and spaced from the bracket, said stripping device being mounted for pivotal movement, and means for adjusting the device with relation to the ground.

Il. In a cotton gatherer, a stripping device including a pluralityof spaced parallel lingers, a transversely disposed supporting bracket, auxiliary fingers depending from the first mentioned lingers and :forming an ini tcgral part of the latter, and arranged at one cnil .ot thestripping device to support the latter spaced above the bracket and said auxiliary lingers terminating short oit t-he adjacent ends of the lirst mentioned lingers.

ln testimony whereof I my signature.

VALLIER. BOONE. 

